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West Virginia Jobs and Career Information
RELATIVE POPULARITY
Top 100 Jobs Relatively More Common in West Virginia Than Elsewhere
Whether you're looking for a career to pursue, or just want to get a feel for occupations in the state, the table below should be helpful. And we haven't seen anything like it from anyone else.
This table tells us which jobs are more common in West Virginia, relative to the state population, compared to their popularity in every other US state. A Local Popularity Index of 1.0 matches the average across all US states; higher and lower numbers indicate the job is proportionally more or less popular here.
| Rank | Job | Mean Local Salary 2006 | Local Jobs 2006 | Local Popularity Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roof bolters, mining | $40,800 | 630 | 246.8 |
| 2 | Shuttle car operators | $39,850 | 450 | 226.6 |
| 3 | Mine cutting and channeling machine operators | $41,560 | 140 | 144.0 |
| 4 | Continuous mining machine operators | $39,725 | 400 | 125.0 |
| 5 | Helpers--extraction workers | $36,385 | 950 | 32.0 |
| 6 | Wellhead pumpers | $26,105 | 110 | 17.2 |
| 7 | Tank car, truck, and ship loaders | $28,115 | 330 | 13.4 |
| 8 | Foresters | $44,925 | 100 | 11.1 |
| 9 | Earth drillers, except oil and gas | $26,535 | 140 | 10.0 |
| 10 | Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining | $25,530 | 260 | 9.8 |
| 11 | Insulation workers, mechanical | $49,770 | 190 | 7.2 |
| 12 | Postmasters and mail superintendents | $52,626 | 230 | 6.9 |
| 13 | Gaming change persons and booth cashiers | $16,200 | 380 | 6.4 |
| 14 | Crane and tower operators | $31,584 | 630 | 5.5 |
| 15 | Psychiatric aides | $17,150 | 600 | 4.9 |
| 16 | Chemical technicians | $42,235 | 650 | 3.6 |
| 17 | Social scientists and related workers | $44,893 | 310 | 3.3 |
| 18 | Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators | $31,552 | 760 | 3.3 |
| 19 | Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $34,148 | 3,670 | 3.2 |
| 20 | Roustabouts, oil and gas | $24,685 | 190 | 3.1 |
| 21 | Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers | $55,566 | 250 | 3.0 |
| 22 | Vocational education teachers, postsecondary | $38,830 | 800 | 3.0 |
| 23 | Nuclear medicine technologists | $56,990 | 150 | 3.0 |
| 24 | Eligibility interviewers, government programs | $28,555 | 440 | 2.9 |
| 25 | Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines | $35,403 | 1,030 | 2.8 |
| 26 | Funeral attendants | $17,533 | 160 | 2.8 |
| 27 | Conveyor operators and tenders | $37,840 | 230 | 2.8 |
| 28 | Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door | $37,150 | 180 | 2.7 |
| 29 | Medical transcriptionists | $24,908 | 720 | 2.7 |
| 30 | Helpers--carpenters | $20,427 | 750 | 2.6 |
| 31 | Elevator installers and repairers | $59,670 | 140 | 2.6 |
| 32 | Industrial machinery mechanics | $39,780 | 1,770 | 2.5 |
| 33 | Chemical engineers | $78,880 | 190 | 2.5 |
| 34 | Chemical equipment operators and tenders | $41,930 | 270 | 2.5 |
| 35 | Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | $32,040 | 190 | 2.5 |
| 36 | Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school | $39,805 | 1,420 | 2.5 |
| 37 | Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates | $59,960 | 120 | 2.4 |
| 38 | Vocational education teachers, secondary school | $41,530 | 490 | 2.4 |
| 39 | Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers | $26,580 | 270 | 2.4 |
| 40 | Education, training, and library workers | $24,784 | 390 | 2.4 |
| 41 | Surveyors | $37,495 | 410 | 2.4 |
| 42 | Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $45,227 | 480 | 2.3 |
| 43 | Cooks, institution and cafeteria | $18,730 | 2,400 | 2.1 |
| 44 | Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators | $32,218 | 310 | 2.1 |
| 45 | Surgeons | $182,690 | 230 | 2.0 |
| 46 | Child, family, and school social workers | $29,023 | 1,600 | 2.0 |
| 47 | New accounts clerks | $25,435 | 470 | 2.0 |
| 48 | Refuse and recyclable material collectors | $23,417 | 560 | 1.9 |
| 49 | Surveying and mapping technicians | $25,725 | 380 | 1.9 |
| 50 | Court, municipal, and license clerks | $25,390 | 440 | 1.9 |
| 51 | Driver/sales workers | $19,486 | 2,550 | 1.9 |
| 52 | Special education teachers, secondary school | $40,530 | 610 | 1.9 |
| 53 | Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $29,466 | 4,300 | 1.9 |
| 54 | Civil engineering technicians | $34,252 | 550 | 1.9 |
| 55 | Respiratory therapists | $40,416 | 520 | 1.8 |
| 56 | Tire repairers and changers | $19,944 | 490 | 1.8 |
| 57 | Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers | $16,897 | 370 | 1.8 |
| 58 | Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants | $18,540 | 7,990 | 1.8 |
| 59 | Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists | $42,023 | 1,080 | 1.7 |
| 60 | Education administrators, elementary and secondary school | $60,308 | 1,060 | 1.7 |
| 61 | Internists, general | $168,836 | 180 | 1.7 |
| 62 | Medical records and health information technicians | $24,293 | 920 | 1.7 |
| 63 | Speech-language pathologists | $46,931 | 520 | 1.7 |
| 64 | Structural iron and steel workers | $42,380 | 310 | 1.7 |
| 65 | Mental health and substance abuse social workers | $25,890 | 610 | 1.7 |
| 66 | Meter readers, utilities | $29,316 | 160 | 1.7 |
| 67 | Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $30,196 | 1,350 | 1.7 |
| 68 | Personal and home care aides | $15,280 | 2,820 | 1.7 |
| 69 | Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers | $23,417 | 390 | 1.6 |
| 70 | Chemical plant and system operators | $47,360 | 180 | 1.6 |
| 71 | Library technicians | $22,346 | 470 | 1.6 |
| 72 | Emergency medical technicians and paramedics | $22,442 | 810 | 1.6 |
| 73 | Pharmacy technicians | $21,356 | 1,470 | 1.6 |
| 74 | Family and general practitioners | $148,917 | 500 | 1.6 |
| 75 | Floral designers | $18,362 | 310 | 1.6 |
| 76 | Tellers | $18,263 | 2,950 | 1.6 |
| 77 | Billing and posting clerks and machine operators | $23,456 | 2,890 | 1.6 |
| 78 | Medical and health services managers | $63,287 | 1,230 | 1.6 |
| 79 | Social and human service assistants | $18,980 | 1,610 | 1.6 |
| 80 | Surgical technologists | $27,326 | 390 | 1.6 |
| 81 | Correctional officers and jailers | $33,935 | 1,210 | 1.6 |
| 82 | Physical therapist assistants | $37,310 | 290 | 1.6 |
| 83 | Kindergarten teachers, except special education | $39,183 | 660 | 1.6 |
| 84 | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers | $31,196 | 1,620 | 1.5 |
| 85 | Physical therapist aides | $20,125 | 190 | 1.5 |
| 86 | Bartenders | $13,950 | 2,480 | 1.5 |
| 87 | Registered nurses | $47,963 | 12,260 | 1.5 |
| 88 | Parts salespersons | $22,110 | 1,130 | 1.5 |
| 89 | First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers | $49,636 | 2,320 | 1.5 |
| 90 | Medical and public health social workers | $35,852 | 560 | 1.5 |
| 91 | Electricians | $41,331 | 3,180 | 1.5 |
| 92 | First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators | $44,975 | 1,130 | 1.5 |
| 93 | Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | $31,275 | 7,470 | 1.5 |
| 94 | Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | $13,218 | 11,610 | 1.5 |
| 95 | Dental hygienists | $42,758 | 760 | 1.5 |
| 96 | Cooks, fast food | $13,285 | 3,040 | 1.5 |
| 97 | Home health aides | $16,150 | 3,140 | 1.5 |
| 98 | Maintenance and repair workers, general | $27,621 | 6,380 | 1.5 |
| 99 | Medical secretaries | $23,584 | 1,580 | 1.4 |
| 100 | Paralegals and legal assistants | $30,386 | 1,130 | 1.4 |
ABSOLUTE POPULARITY
The Most Common Jobs in West Virginia
Unlike the table above, which shows where jobs in West Virginia are unusually common compared to other states, the table below lists jobs which are the most common in raw numbers in the state.
| Rank | Job | Local Jobs 2006 | Mean Local Salary 2006 | Local Popularity Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail salespersons | 17,140 | $18,760 | 1.1 |
| 2 | Cashiers | 16,060 | $14,338 | 1.4 |
| 3 | Registered nurses | 12,260 | $47,963 | 1.5 |
| 4 | Office clerks, general | 12,090 | $21,080 | 1.2 |
| 5 | Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 11,610 | $13,218 | 1.5 |
| 6 | Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 8,960 | $19,023 | 1.2 |
| 7 | Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 8,530 | $19,741 | 1.0 |
| 8 | Waiters and waitresses | 8,220 | $13,880 | 1.0 |
| 9 | Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive | 8,140 | $23,223 | 1.4 |
| 10 | Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants | 7,990 | $18,540 | 1.8 |
| 11 | Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 7,470 | $31,275 | 1.5 |
| 12 | Maintenance and repair workers, general | 6,380 | $27,621 | 1.5 |
| 13 | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | 5,880 | $25,108 | 0.9 |
| 14 | Customer service representatives | 5,670 | $22,777 | 0.8 |
| 15 | General and operations managers | 5,590 | $72,445 | 1.0 |
| 16 | Stock clerks and order fillers | 5,550 | $19,448 | 1.0 |
| 17 | First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers | 4,660 | $31,513 | 1.2 |
| 18 | First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers | 4,660 | $37,933 | 1.0 |
| 19 | Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 4,300 | $29,466 | 1.9 |
| 20 | Elementary school teachers, except special education | 4,300 | $39,788 | 1.0 |
| 21 | Truck drivers, light or delivery services | 4,090 | $22,675 | 1.2 |
| 22 | Construction laborers | 3,990 | $28,515 | 1.2 |
| 23 | Carpenters | 3,940 | $32,131 | 1.2 |
| 24 | Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education | 3,820 | $41,706 | 1.3 |
| 25 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 3,760 | $45,610 | 0.7 |
| 26 | Executive secretaries and administrative assistants | 3,760 | $31,228 | 0.7 |
| 27 | Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | 3,670 | $34,148 | 3.2 |
| 28 | Security guards | 3,660 | $17,666 | 1.0 |
| 29 | Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 3,640 | $15,851 | 1.2 |
| 30 | Accountants and auditors | 3,610 | $46,766 | 0.9 |
| 31 | First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers | 3,370 | $23,448 | 1.3 |
| 32 | Cooks, restaurant | 3,350 | $17,168 | 1.2 |
| 33 | Food preparation workers | 3,250 | $15,898 | 1.1 |
| 34 | Receptionists and information clerks | 3,220 | $18,836 | 0.8 |
| 35 | Electricians | 3,180 | $41,331 | 1.5 |
| 36 | Home health aides | 3,140 | $16,150 | 1.5 |
| 37 | Cooks, fast food | 3,040 | $13,285 | 1.5 |
| 38 | Tellers | 2,950 | $18,263 | 1.6 |
| 39 | Billing and posting clerks and machine operators | 2,890 | $23,456 | 1.6 |
| 40 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics | 2,850 | $24,506 | 1.3 |
| 41 | Personal and home care aides | 2,820 | $15,280 | 1.7 |
| 42 | First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers | 2,770 | $49,130 | 1.3 |
| 43 | Teacher assistants | 2,640 | $20,018 | 0.7 |
| 44 | Driver/sales workers | 2,550 | $19,486 | 1.9 |
| 45 | Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | 2,550 | $17,670 | 0.8 |
| 46 | Bartenders | 2,480 | $13,950 | 1.5 |
| 47 | Cooks, institution and cafeteria | 2,400 | $18,730 | 2.1 |
| 48 | First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers | 2,320 | $49,636 | 1.5 |
| 49 | First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers | 2,310 | $54,938 | 1.2 |
| 50 | Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education | 2,240 | $39,970 | 1.2 |
| 51 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | 1,860 | $41,472 | 1.3 |
| 52 | Police and sheriff's patrol officers | 1,830 | $34,516 | 1.1 |
| 53 | Business operations specialists | 1,820 | $45,880 | 0.5 |
| 54 | Packers and packagers, hand | 1,790 | $18,093 | 0.6 |
| 55 | Industrial machinery mechanics | 1,770 | $39,780 | 2.5 |
| 56 | Helpers--production workers | 1,740 | $20,696 | 1.1 |
| 57 | Medical assistants | 1,710 | $21,251 | 1.2 |
| 58 | Bus drivers, school | 1,700 | $21,932 | 1.3 |
| 59 | Industrial truck and tractor operators | 1,690 | $26,265 | 0.8 |
| 60 | Lawyers | 1,670 | $91,353 | 0.8 |
| 61 | Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | 1,660 | $19,071 | 1.4 |
| 62 | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers | 1,620 | $31,196 | 1.5 |
| 63 | Social and human service assistants | 1,610 | $18,980 | 1.6 |
| 64 | Child, family, and school social workers | 1,600 | $29,023 | 2.0 |
| 65 | Medical secretaries | 1,580 | $23,584 | 1.4 |
| 66 | Dishwashers | 1,540 | $13,560 | 0.9 |
| 67 | Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks | 1,520 | $23,778 | 0.6 |
| 68 | Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | 1,500 | $28,395 | 0.9 |
| 69 | Pharmacy technicians | 1,470 | $21,356 | 1.6 |
| 70 | Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school | 1,420 | $39,805 | 2.5 |
| 71 | Counter and rental clerks | 1,420 | $17,753 | 0.9 |
| 72 | Financial managers | 1,390 | $65,986 | 0.8 |
| 73 | Postal service mail carriers | 1,370 | $43,383 | 1.2 |
| 74 | Team assemblers | 1,370 | $22,248 | 0.4 |
| 75 | Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | 1,350 | $30,196 | 1.7 |
| 76 | Insurance sales agents | 1,320 | $36,917 | 1.3 |
| 77 | Cleaners of vehicles and equipment | 1,290 | $16,075 | 1.1 |
| 78 | Medical and health services managers | 1,230 | $63,287 | 1.6 |
| 79 | Correctional officers and jailers | 1,210 | $33,935 | 1.6 |
| 80 | Chief executives | 1,160 | $113,205 | 1.0 |
| 81 | Child care workers | 1,160 | $14,928 | 0.6 |
| 82 | Data entry keyers | 1,140 | $22,053 | 1.1 |
| 83 | Parts salespersons | 1,130 | $22,110 | 1.5 |
| 84 | First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators | 1,130 | $44,975 | 1.5 |
| 85 | Paralegals and legal assistants | 1,130 | $30,386 | 1.4 |
| 86 | Pharmacists | 1,130 | $90,143 | 1.4 |
| 87 | Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists | 1,080 | $42,023 | 1.7 |
| 88 | Legal secretaries | 1,080 | $28,164 | 1.2 |
| 89 | Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | 1,070 | $13,813 | 0.9 |
| 90 | Education administrators, elementary and secondary school | 1,060 | $60,308 | 1.7 |
| 91 | Machinists | 1,040 | $32,726 | 0.9 |
| 92 | Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines | 1,030 | $35,403 | 2.8 |
| 93 | Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | 980 | $13,553 | 0.7 |
| 94 | Computer support specialists | 960 | $30,511 | 0.5 |
| 95 | Helpers--extraction workers | 950 | $36,385 | 32.0 |
| 96 | All other information and record clerks | 930 | $36,891 | 0.9 |
| 97 | First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers | 930 | $62,801 | 0.9 |
| 98 | Medical records and health information technicians | 920 | $24,293 | 1.7 |
| 99 | Civil engineers | 870 | $61,765 | 1.0 |
| 100 | Educational, vocational, and school counselors | 860 | $43,395 | 1.2 |
State employment statistics and analysis are © Copyright 2004-2008 Moving Traffic, Inc, owner of CityTownInfo.com. We recommend their career profiles and extensive college search info and tools.
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